Chapter 4: Memory Imprint
"Ume…" A voice whispered though the darkness of Umekos mind, the voice like the wind as it danced around, calling softly as it did; the soft feminine voice was full of fear as it trembled slightly. The words almost a prayer as the female sobbed "…Ume"
"Umeko…" A deep voice called, rousing the female from her daydream "…anyone in there?"
"Yep, sorry I got distracted" Umeko giggled nervously as she strolled though Magnolia, the index finger of her left hand scratching her cheek in embarrassment as they flushed in colour.
"Ume…Ume you must run" The soft voice caressed Umekos eardrums as it drifted around her mind, the fear and sadness seeped into Umekos heart causing it to flutter with emotion.
"Are you ok…" Her male companion asked as the two walked back to the guild "…you've been spacing out a lot"
"Sorry Reedus, I don't mean to. I think the spell has knocked me though a loop" The female replied as she rubbed the throbbing pain that blossomed at the back of her head, the pain spreading to her temples before fluttering away.
"You were hit rather hard, maybe we should take you to see Porlyusica or Wendy" The artist offered kindly as the crowd of people around them got thicker.
"Don't worry, it's nothing a good bath and a sleep won't solve, anyway what were you asking?" Umeko asked as she strolled along, her booted feet tapping a dull beat as she walked.
"I was asking if you knew what was going on" Reedus repeated as the thin male strolled beside the female mage, the crowd around them parting like the red sea, moving out of the mages way when they turned the way they wanted.
"Not a clue…" Umeko replied as she looked to her feline companion "…could you take a look?" Ayaka nodded in reply and took off into the air, her wings flapping before flying off.
"Why do I get the feeling that something good happened when we were away" Reedus moaned as the two kept making their way through the parting crowd, it was as though the public were showing them the way as they moved for the mages, it seemed they were being lead into the east of town .
"There's something going on in the park…" Ayaka reported as the artist and dragon made their way "…it looks like a fight"
"Oh great, just what we need" Umeko sighed as she picked up the pace, her head pounding again as the soft voice whispered into her ear. Whenever there was a fight within the walls of Magnolia you could grantee that there would be a member of Fairy Tail right in the middle of it.
"Bickslow is there with Freed and Evergreen…" Ayaka informed as the small group rushed through the streets, Umeko signing deeply when Bickslows name came up "…also with the rest of Fairy Tail and most of the town"
"Let's get going, maybe we can put a stop to it before the whole town is destroyed" Reedus offered before he took off, expertly moving though the crowd with Umeko right behind him.
The people around Umeko were a blur, their lives not interesting enough for the female to stop but a few did catch her eye; children with their mothers. Seeing the happy children laughing with their mothers brought a sense of emptiness to the female slayer. Shaking the unwanted thoughts from her mind Umeko ran past Reedus and carried on towards the Park; Ayaka flying beside her.
Umeko had to blink when they had arrived at the park; it was decorated with so much stuff that Umeko didn't recognise the open space of green at first. Stalls lined the edge of the park, venders selling their wares as the public flitted from one stall to the next. Balloons were tied to almost everything in sight with brightly coloured streamers tied from tree to tree and stall to stall. Children played in the afternoon sun, their laughter and shouts of delight filling the silent park with happiness.
"Guys…" Umeko called when they reached the park, her hand automatically waving to catch the others attention; Reedus was panting away as he knelt behind the female dragon slayer while he tried to catch his breath "…what's going on?" It however seemed no one was listening as Umeko got no reply. Bickslow, Freed and Evergreen were standing by the biggest tree in the small park, all of them looking worried as Laxus stood front and centre; he was in the midst of a staring contest with his grandfather, Wendy was stood beside Makarov with Carla right next to her, and not surprisingly Natsu was knocked out on the ground with Happy tending to the fire dragon slayer; guess Natsu got a bit too big and tried to take on Laxus, again.
Without a word Laxus turned away from his grandfather and walked away.
"Wait Laxus" Bickslow bellowed as his eyes followed the lightning user.
"Come back to Fairy Tail" Evergreen called as she chased after the mage, her fists clenched in desperation. Laxus just carried on walking, ignoring everyone around him.
"Master it's about time that you lifted Laxus's expulsion…" Freed turned to the elder mage and tried to reason with the older male "…Master" Freed tried when the male didn't say a word. Makarov just turned towards his grandson, watching the large male as he walked out of the park.
"I'll see you later Reedus" Umeko dismissed as the artist caught his breath; he waved the mage farewell before she left, Ayaka running to catch her up.
Moving quickly Umeko was able to race around the side of the park; missing the elderly and young kids as they ran into her path, and made it to the other side where Laxus was strolling away, his hands deep in his pockets as he slouched slightly. Umeko quickly caught up to the male and walked in pace with him, she smiled softly as she walked behind Laxus with Ayaka leaping into her arms; Umeko turned to Bickslow when he called and waved briefly before turning back and following Laxus.
Neither mage spoke a word as they walked through the streets of the city, females swooned as Laxus walked by with males woof-whistling as Umeko came past. Dull thuds echoed though the emptying streets as the two reached the outskirts of the city, the few people they came across soon scattered as the two Mages came past; still there was silence between the three. When the familiar East forest came into view the slight stiffness in Laxuss' shoulders relaxed, his gate smoother as they walked into the foliage, Umeko was distracted by the wiggle on the male's hips as he walked.
"How'd it go?" Laxus was a man of few words, when he talked you listened and when you listened you took everything in.
"It was alright…" Umeko dismissed as her eyes watched the swaying motion of Laxus's backside as he strolled along the dirt path "…Reedus and I got the job done quicker than expected; we didn't get the full reward as the assailant got away"
"Ume" The voice sighed again as it whispered in Umekos ear. The voice was beseeching the mage and she turned to the right, it felt almost as if there was really someone standing next to her calling; when Umeko found no one she went back to her task of watching Laxus backside.
"Shouldn't you be with Bickslow or up at the guild" Laxus sighed as he turned towards the female, Umeko quickly looked from the tempting males bum; hoping Laxus hadn't caught her staring, her smile softened as Ayaka tied to hide a giggle.
"Bickslow saw I was back, besides at the time it looked like you could use some company" Umeko whispered, her fingers twitching as she hopped from foot to foot. Why was she acting like a schoolgirl with a crush, it was true that Umeko thought that Laxus was rather handsome, strong and not to mention smart, so why did her blood heat when Laxus looked at her? Her violet eyes darted around the small clearing as she shifted her weight; small shrubs lined the area with the trees leaning in to offer shelter as their branches knitted together.
"You thought I could use some company?" Laxus repeated as he stepped toward Umeko, a single eyebrow rose as his questioning gaze bore into Umeko.
"Yes" Umeko stuttered as Laxus got closer and closer, unknowingly Umeko took a hesitant step back as the Lightning mage crept ever nearer.
"Are you sure?" Laxus almost purred as he came level with the earth mage, he reached out and his rough fingertips stroked the bare skin of Umekos hips as he pulled the mage towards him.
"No" Umeko sighed as Ayaka got squashed between the two lager bodies.
"UME…UME RUN" The female voice bellowed causing the mage to flinch; the sound was so sudden and unexpected that Umeko squeezed Ayaka even tighter causing the squished Exceed to wiggle for freedom.
"Umeko…let me go" Ayaka called as she wiggled around, her voice small as she was squashed against two different bodies.
"YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE UME…" The voice shouted again as desperation dripped from every word "…YOU MUST GET OUT OF HERE"
"Umeko what's wrong?" Laxus asked as he leaned back, his blue eyes trying to catch her violet as Ayaka wiggled up between the mages.
"She's been like this all day…" Ayaka explained as she lifted herself onto Laxus's shoulder, the green Exceed looked to the male with worry in her large brown eyes "…when we were on the mission she was hit with a spell, when it hit it flung her back into a large rock. Reedus had tied to get Umeko to see a doctor but she refused. What did you think it could be?" The worried Exceed asked. For a split second Laxus caught Umekos gaze as her head started to roll around, her eyes were full of pain and misery as the violet orbs flitted from shrub to shrub.
"I'm taking her to Porlyusica…" Laxus confirmed as he gently guided Umeko to the left "…something is defiantly wrong"
"Stop" Umeko whispered, her body going stiff as her eyes glazed over. Laxus jumped back in shock as he let go of Umeko, his blue gaze worried as Ayaka dropped to the grassy floor.
"Umeko" Ayaka softly begged as her soft paw stroked the fabric of her trousers.
"Oh Ayaka, what are you doing down there?" Umeko smiled, her worries a world away as she knelt forward to pick the Exceed up.
"You zoned out again…" Ayaka replied, her paw patting the smooth skin of Umekos cheek "…Laxus and I are going to take you to Porlyusica"
"What…why?..." The Earth Dragon defended as her gaze switched between Ayaka and Laxus "…there's no need I'm fine"
"No you're not. I don't care what you say Umeko you are going to Porlyusica and that is that" Laxus snapped, his finger pointing in the right direction as he urged the female to get up and move; she refused. Putting on a show of defiance Umeko stomped her feet against the earth, she brought them close together as she crossed her arms and raised her chin an inch or so, just to annoy the Lightning Dragon Umeko looked away with a frown on her face.
"No" The female protested with a huff.
"But I can help…" A small voice of a child whispered "…I know Earth Magic, I learned from Eartha"
"Umeko are you ok?" Laxus asked as the female suddenly leaned forward, her hands rising towards her head as she looked at nothing.
"That's wonderful but you can't help right now" The woman spoke again as Umeko staggered backwards, her hands holding her head as the voice splashed across her brain.
"I know I can…" Umeko spoke "…just let me show you"
"Umeko what's wrong? What are you talking about?" Ayaka asked as she stepped towards Umeko, her eyes wide with worry as she reached out.
"You don't have to show me sweetheart, just go with your brothers they will take you somewhere safe"
"Umeko" Laxus called as he gently placed a hand on the female, she flinched and took another step back.
"You are very special Umeko; we have to protect you and Eartha but to do that you must go with the others"
"I'm sorry mum" Umeko whispered softly as she fell to her knees, the world around her darkening as she looked to the hard ground.
"UEMKO" Laxus shouted as the female tumbled to the floor, her side taking most of the impact as she blacked out.
XxX
Umeko rested peacefully in the small bed; the pillows and blankets swamping her smaller frame as she snuggled into its softness, the real world seemed far away as Umeko slept the day away. Silently Wendy stood by Umekos bedside, so not to disturb the resting slayer the young female worked quickly and efficiently as she examined Umeko. Bickslow was sat on the end of the bed; his hood now down and his eye mask thrown to the side as his red eyes watched every move Wendy made, his larger hand rested on Umekos ankle as his other clenched at his side, Ayaka was sat in his lap, her small paws clutching onto the fabric of her black trousers. Evergreen, Freed and Laxus had politely stepped out of the room as Carla stood by the door; on hand in case she was needed.
"Is Umeko going to be ok?" Bickslow whispered as he looked to the sleeping face of his sister, his hand clenching tighter as Wendy leaned back; her examination now complete.
"Umeko is going to be just fine…" Wendy comforted as she brushed a few blue stands from her face "…I now know for sure what happened. All Umeko needs is a lot of love and lots of bed rest"
"Oh thank god…" Bickslow exclaimed as he slid off the bed, his body collapsing with relief as he hit the floor with a thud, he stayed silently still for a moment before leaping up and wrapped the small Wendy in his longs arms "…thank you so much Wendy"
"What…happened?" Ayaka hiccupped as she cried, Ayaka stood at the bottom of the bed, her eyes wide with happiness; the small Exceed managed to jump from Bickslows lap before he fell to the floor.
"Umeko was affected by a strong kind of memory magic…" Wendy began when Bickslow had finally relished her and started to dance around the room, his voice booming as he happily shouted out "…it's difficult to fully explain but I will try my best"
"Would you keep it down…" Evergreen hissed as she came slithering into the room, her eyes as hard as stone as he glared at the bouncing male "…you're giving me a headache"
"But I'm so happy, Umeko is going to be fine" Bickslow proudly stated as he picked the fairy mage up and span her around the room; Wendy secretly happy that the male didn't do that to her. Freed came into the room soon followed by Laxus; the two males stood watch at the door as Evergreen struggled with the stronger Bickslow; the little space in the room was now none existent.
"Please continue with the diagnosis" Freed politely stated as his gaze shifted onto the serene Umeko.
"Like I was telling Bickslow Umeko was showing the symptoms of a spell called Memory Imprint. It's a very strong and powerful spell that had been disbanded from use when the mages would become sick"
"I can see how they would believe that" Laxus muttered as his gaze to shifted to Umeko as she slept in one of his oversized shirts.
"Imagine a memory in your mind, any memory; good or bad…" Wendy spoke as she thought of the best possible way to explain the spell "…Memory Imprint is where someone would cast the spell and that memory would be brought to the front of your mind. The exact words that were spoken, the weather, your feelings at the time, everything would be brought back to life; it's as if you were thrown back in time and were reliving the memory. What if it was a bad memory?" Wendy finished as she looked to the others in the room, all of them looking sick to their stomachs as they watched Umeko in the bed.
"You would have to relive it, over and over again" Freed murmured, his body stiff as he tried to hold in his emotions.
"Exactly…" Porlyusica spat as she wondered into the room "…I think Umeko was exposed to that spell this morning and the user found a memory that would bring Umeko to her knees and they could escape; however I believe that the memory was deeply buried in her mind until it was loosened a bit. Over the course of the day it stated to leak out bit by bit until the dam burst so to speak"
"What sick, twisted git would play with a person's mind like this?" Bickslow hissed as he hit the closest thing to hand; the wall.
"Regardless of who did it Umeko has just witnessed a memory that must have been emotionally distressing for her; or the beginning of, that she had repressed it all this time. She is going to be in an emotionally and mentally fragile state for a while and will need you to support her. That is the best thing you can do for Umeko right now, not point fingers and ask questions later" Porlyusica snapped as she glared at Bickslow; her gaze was harder then diamonds, before she turned on her heel and left just as silently as she came.
"Mirajane could help; she's a qualified therapist" Freed offered as he stood to the side, wanting to help as much as he could.
"Big Bro Bickslow" A voice whispered softly as Umeko moved in her sleep, the female rolled onto her right hand side, her hand reaching out as she turned towards her brother. Bickslow moved towards Umeko and dived for the bed when her voice drifted off, he grasped Umekos hand within his own as he sat next to her; his fingers gently rubbing against the middle of her wrapped palm as his other brushed a few green stands of hair out of her line of vision.
"I'm right here Umeko, I'm not going anywhere…" Bickslow shushed as he squeezed her hand gently "…just rest and I will be right here when you wake up"
"I'm sorry I made you all worry"
"Go back to sleep, I will be right here…" Bickslow silenced as he brushed Umekos hair back, he leaned forward and placed a kiss to her temple causing Umeko to smile as she once again drifted off "…sweet dreams sis"
